COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Support with finances, benefits, employment and skills

We know that in these unprecedented times many people will find financial concerns particularly worrying. We’re working closely with our valued partners so that together we can ensure helpful and reliable information and support is available around money worries, access to benefits, and employment issues.

In this section:

• Independent advice services
• Council Tax and Hardship Fund
• Benefits support
• Support grants or crisis awards
• Support with energy bills
• Employment and developing skills
• Other information

Independent advice services

Coventry Law Centre – providing specialist legal advice to the community

Coventry Law Centre is providing extra advice on benefits issues due to the extraordinary circumstances people are facing due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Their website provides benefits advice and financial support information.
Advice relating to employment can also be found on their website.
Coventry Law Centre’s temporary working arrangements are outlined on the Law Centre website and will be updated as and when necessary.
Telephone advice is available by calling 024 7622 3053.
Monday to Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 4.30pm
(closed for lunch between 1pm - 2pm each day)

Coventry Citizens Advice

Offering free, impartial, confidential advice for residents of Coventry, they can be contacted in the following ways:

• For general advice please call 0800 144 8848 Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm
• Information can be found on their website
• You can complete a secure enquiries form. (please allow 3 working days for a response)
• For help with debt, please call 024 7625 2047 or email [email protected]
• To help claim Universal Credit, please call 0800 1448 444

Coventry Independent Advice Service (CIAS)

If you need help with benefits or debt problems, you can:

• Check the self-help page for links to online information resources and details of other services in Coventry. This might give you a quick answer to your questions.
• Ask for advice at any time by using our online enquiry form. We check these enquiries regularly, so this is a really easy way of getting in touch with us.
• Telephone us for advice on 024 7652 1101. The adviser may be able to answer your query straightaway or arrange a time to call you back to discuss further. Lines are open:
  • Monday and Thursday: 9.30am to 4.30pm
  • Tuesday: 9.30am to 4.30pm and 5pm to 7pm (evening session)
  • Wednesday and Friday: 9.30 am to 1pm
  • Saturday and Sunday: Closed
• Chat with us using the ‘live chat’ feature on their website. A little ‘chat with us’ box will appear on screen when this service is available.

Age UK Coventry and Warwickshire

Provides free benefits advice to people living in Coventry (aged 50 and above)
The Information and Advice service is available Monday – Friday 10am – 3pm
Tel 024 7623 1999 Email [email protected]  See up-to-date information about services.

Council Tax and Hardship Fund

Anyone who is finding it difficult to pay their Council Tax should contact the Council Tax Team to discuss alternative payment arrangements.

If you have been affected by coronavirus and you are concerned about making your Council Tax payments, visit our COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Council Tax page, call 024 7683 1111, or email [email protected], putting ‘COVID-19’ in the subject box so we can give your email priority.

Please get in touch as soon as possible if you’re struggling because of the current situation.

Benefits support

Contact our Benefits team for advice and support if your income has been affected by coronavirus at [email protected], by calling 024 7683 1800, or visiting our Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support page.

Support grants or crisis awards

Find out if you can access a Community Support grant or a Crisis Award. Alternatively, email [email protected] or call 024 7683 3773.

Support with energy bills

If you are experiencing difficulties paying your energy bills, the Government has agreed measures with energy suppliers to provide support to vulnerable customers.

Employment and developing skills

Coventry City Council Job Shop and Adult Education Service are here to support you through these challenging times.

We recognise that a lot of people are worried about how COVID-19 is affecting their lives now and what the longer term impact will be for them and their families. Maintaining our health and well-being is more important than ever and our friendly and experienced team are here to support you.

The Job Shop can help if you are:

• Worried about losing your job or have been made redundant.
• Feeling anxious or worried about returning to work.
• Concerned about developing the right skills to work in new sectors.
• Experiencing financial difficulties and worrying about money.
• Currently unemployed and want help to find and secure the right job.
• Experiencing mental health difficulties and struggling to cope.
• Disabled or have a health condition and worried that this will affect you securing employment.

Find out more about the Job Shop.

The Adult Education Service have courses to help you:

• Feel less isolated, help you maintain your health and wellbeing, build confidence and connect with other people.
• Open up your digital world by helping you use things like email and the internet.
• Bring out your creative side through our various arts and crafts courses.
• Develop your vocational skills and gain qualifications to help you get a job, develop in your. current role or move into a totally different area of work.

Find out more about the Adult Education Service.

Other information

• Test and Trace Support Payments
• Community support